Winterize Your Home

 

Arguably the most important home feature to have in good working condition, especially in winter.

 

Give it a test run! Sometime in October turn the thermostat to 80 degrees (Fahrenheit), you should hear it turn on and start pumping warm air. If your furnace doesn’t seem to be working then call a qualified service technician.

 

 

With your heater in proper working order the last thing you want is cold air leaking in around doors and windows.

 

Inspect the moldings! Look around windows and doors for damaged or missing caulking. Use a good-quality exterior caulk to seal any gaps.

 

Check for air leaks! On a windy day close your doors and windows and feel around for any air leaks. A rope caulk can be used to seal any gaps.

 

 

 

 

With your nicely sealed and heater system working, you can turn your attention to the yard.

 

Sprinklers! Don’t overlook your sprinkler system. If you have a lawn service that handles this, ask them to winterize the sprinkler system sometime in October. If you’re doing it yourself, shut off the water, drain the pipes, blow them free of water, and then open test cocks on the vacuum breaker to allow air into the system. This prevents trapped water from freezing and cracking the plastic water lines (always consult a professional!)